A lot can change in a year (or 18 months). After leaving his post as Brisbane Roar coach in April 2012, Ange Postecoglou kicked off last season's A-League season (2012-13) as coach of the Melbourne Victory FC on the back of stinging criticism from a contingent of Roar supporters. After guiding the Brisbane club to back to back premierships, the Roar fans felt betrayed as Ange jumped ship almost immediately after the 2012 Grand Final win. This lead to a backlash from some supporters who felt Ange had left for the money and that his heart was not in the club. Some (fans) went so far as to say that the Roar's success was down to Roar's Assistant Manager Dario Vidosic and not Postecoglou. After the Melbourne Victory received a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the Roar this time last year, it seemed Ange's successful coaching record had begun to sour. Who would've thought then that 12 months later, Postecoglou would be our new Socceroos coach.
It's quite a remarkable rise for Postecoglou, as his rise to coaching prominence has been many years in the making. Many fans would agree that Ange's coaching career has been years of small and steady steps, which has gotten him to where he is today. This time 4 years ago, Ange Postecoglou would have been the furtherest name linked to the Socceroos coaching job. In October 2009, Postecoglou emerged from obscurity when he returned to Australia to coach the Brisbane Roar. Having spent 9 months in Greece coaching 3rd Division side Panachaiki, Ange took over the Brisbane side from outgoing coach Frank Farina. It wasn't the first time Postecoglou and Farina had crossed paths as coaches. When Farina was coach of the Socceroos, It was Postecoglou who was coach of the Australian Under 20's side, and the two worked closely over the coming years. Although Postecoglou's time as Under 20's coach was shaky, it was this solid 7 year stint (coupled with his many years as South Melbourne coach) which eventually secured the Brisbane Roar coaching job for him.
2 and a half years after his appointment as Brisbane coach and it was the Roar and Postecoglou who were reaping the rewards and spoils of the A-League. With back to back premierships under the club's belt and a historic 36 game undefeated streak, Postecoglou had well and truly stamped his name on Australian Sporting History. As the Socceroos battle with poor results and disunity, I couldn't think of anyone more qualified and ready for this position than Ange. Having been there at the International stage with the Under 20's and winning back to back premierships on home soil, this appointment as Socceroos coach is the only positive thing to come out of such an uncertain year for Australian Football. It'll be a tough road ahead in the lead up to Brazil 2014, but if anyone can do it, It might as well be Ange Postecoglou.
Written by Alex Stilianos.
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